Time of establishment of friendly relations: March 1983

Overview:

Hyogo Prefecture, situated in the heart of the Japanese archipelago, spans an area of 8,400.9 square kilometers and is home to approximately 5.59 million residents. With Kobe city as its capital, it is the largest prefecture in the Kansai region. The industrial sector is a cornerstone of Hyogo's economy, dominated by steel, shipbuilding, machinery and food industries. Notably, the food manufacturing sector commands the second-largest market share in Japan, while the steel industry holds the fourth position.

The regions of Kobe, Hanshin as well as East and West Harima are densely populated, accounting for roughly 91 percent of the prefecture's population, and are hubs for the steel, shipbuilding and machinery industries. In contrast, the regions of Tajima and Awaji are celebrated for their picturesque landscapes of mountains and clear waters, which foster a robust agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sector. Hyogo Prefecture is at the forefront of innovation, actively nurturing high-tech industries and pioneering products, as well as emerging sectors such as biopharmaceuticals and large-scale optical fiber technologies. It is also renowned as the birthplace of globally recognized corporations like Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kobe Steel.

Relations with Guangdong:

Since the establishment of friendly relations between Guangdong and Hyogo Prefecture, the two regions have engaged in productive exchanges and cooperation across various domains, including high-level mutual visits, trade, education, and environmental protection. This partnership stands out as one of the most substantive and effective among Guangdong's international exchanges.

In November 2001, Guangdong, in collaboration with Hyogo Prefecture and a number of major Japanese companies, established an economic promotion association between Japan and Guangdong, serving as a vital platform for economic exchanges between the two sides.

In April 2019, Ma Xingrui, the then governor of Guangdong, visited Hyogo Prefecture. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two regions supported each other by exchanging letters of consolation and anti-epidemic supplies, demonstrating their solidarity.

In July 2021, Ma held a video meeting with Toshizo Ido, the then governor of Hyogo Prefecture, to express gratitude for Ido's contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two regions.

In February 2022, Motohiko Saito, governor of Hyogo Prefecture, sent a congratulatory letter to Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong, further strengthening ties between the two regions.

Other friendship provinces and cities:

Guangdong–Aichi Prefecture;

Guangzhou–Fukuoka; Guangzhou–Noboribetsu; Shenzhen–Tsukuba; Zhuhai–Atami; Shantou–Kishiwadate; Foshan–Itami; Zhongshan–Moroguchi.